PAVLOVSK PALACE St. Petersburg, Russia

In 1782, Catherine The Great had the magnificent Pavlovsk Palace built for her son. It is difficult to believe that it was almost completely destroyed during the World War II, after which it was fully restored. The palaces furniture and art were spared from enemy bombardment thus preserving their full splendor to the present day. The interior architecture of the building was formed by two main influences: the military preferences of Tsar Paul I and the opposing taste of his wife, Maria. During the lifetime of the Tsars, the palace became more than merely a functional building as it combines richly designed architecture with an amazing array of art from the 18th and 19th centuries, making it a combination of both palace and art museum. Many European flowers and trees have found a new home in the marvelous setting of the 600 hectare Pavlovsk Park, a scene of harmony and romantic tranquility which contains various small temples, pavilions and monuments, including 200 sculptures.
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